Family raises money for new parents in need

Published: Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 12:13 a.m.

HOUMA — A local family donated $11,000 to help provide medical and social care to sick infants and their families admitted to Terrebonne General Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

John and Ashley Fontenot, founders of the Cooper Life Fund along with their sons Cooper and Remy, presented the check to TGMC earlier this month.

The money was raised from the fourth annual Super Cooper 5K Heart Run March 27 at The Workout Company in Houma.

“This year’s race marked the Cooper Life Fund’s best-ever Houma event with the most participants since its conception in 2006,” John Fontenot said.

Fontenot said 473 people participated in the race this year.

“We had nearly 550 people on site, including our volunteers and spectators and the weather was nearly perfect — sunny and cool with a stiff breeze to add to the level of difficulty,” he added.

To date $52,500 has been raised by the race and donated to TGMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

John and Ashley Fontenot founded the organization after their son Cooper was born with a congenital heart defect in 2004. He underwent open heart surgery when he was only 9 days old. The goal was to raise money to aid families of children born with serious medical issues.

“When Cooper was born he spent his first couple of weeks of life in the NICU, and we were very fortunate to have a support system behind us through the whole ordeal,” John Fontenot said. “After we were back at home and Cooper was recovering and healthy, we decided that we needed to something to help families of children who are not as fortunate as we were.”

The fund allows families to focus on the wellness of their child without having to worry about how they might afford the immediate necessities of caring for a sick baby. The money helps buy gas cards, phone cards, car seats, strollers, lodging vouchers and other items.

“We are honored to receive this generous donation that will benefit many families that experience an unexpected stay in our NICU,” said TGMC President and CEO Phyllis Peoples. “These proceeds will enhance the medical services that are provided at the hospital by addressing the social needs that the families of our patients may have as a result of their baby being in NICU.”

The Super Cooper Heart Run is a multi-regional event, with the annual fall race in Lafayette and an annual spring race in Houma.

<p>HOUMA — A local family donated $11,000 to help provide medical and social care to sick infants and their families admitted to Terrebonne General Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.</p><p>John and Ashley Fontenot, founders of the Cooper Life Fund along with their sons Cooper and Remy, presented the check to TGMC earlier this month.</p><p>The money was raised from the fourth annual Super Cooper 5K Heart Run March 27 at The Workout Company in Houma. </p><p>“This year's race marked the Cooper Life Fund's best-ever Houma event with the most participants since its conception in 2006,” John Fontenot said.</p><p>Fontenot said 473 people participated in the race this year.</p><p>“We had nearly 550 people on site, including our volunteers and spectators and the weather was nearly perfect — sunny and cool with a stiff breeze to add to the level of difficulty,” he added.</p><p>To date $52,500 has been raised by the race and donated to TGMC's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. </p><p>John and Ashley Fontenot founded the organization after their son Cooper was born with a congenital heart defect in 2004. He underwent open heart surgery when he was only 9 days old. The goal was to raise money to aid families of children born with serious medical issues. </p><p>“When Cooper was born he spent his first couple of weeks of life in the NICU, and we were very fortunate to have a support system behind us through the whole ordeal,” John Fontenot said. “After we were back at home and Cooper was recovering and healthy, we decided that we needed to something to help families of children who are not as fortunate as we were.” </p><p>The fund allows families to focus on the wellness of their child without having to worry about how they might afford the immediate necessities of caring for a sick baby. The money helps buy gas cards, phone cards, car seats, strollers, lodging vouchers and other items. </p><p>“We are honored to receive this generous donation that will benefit many families that experience an unexpected stay in our NICU,” said TGMC President and CEO Phyllis Peoples. “These proceeds will enhance the medical services that are provided at the hospital by addressing the social needs that the families of our patients may have as a result of their baby being in NICU.”</p><p>The Super Cooper Heart Run is a multi-regional event, with the annual fall race in Lafayette and an annual spring race in Houma. </p><p>For more information visit www.tgmc.com and www.cooperlifefund.org.</p><p>Nikki Buskey</p><p>Staff Writer</p>